Sanjay Bangar Returns To Punjab Kings As Head of Cricket Development

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar has rejoined Punjab Kings as their head of cricket development for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

This marks a homecoming for the 51-year-old, who previously served as an assistant coach (2014) and head coach (2015-2016) for the franchise.

During his first stint with the Punjab-based team, Bangar played a crucial role in their 2014 IPL campaign, where they finished as runners-up. However, his subsequent years as head coach were less successful, with the team finishing at the bottom of the table on both occasions.

“It’s my privilege to be with the Punjab Kings again,” Bangar said in a press release.

“We have a good core group of players, as evidenced by the fact that we have the lowest number of player releases this year. The challenge is to give the squad the best support possible during and after the season to make the team stronger and deliver success” – he added

In his new role, Bangar will work alongside head coach Trevor Bayliss to form the team’s think tank for the upcoming IPL auction, scheduled for December 19th in Dubai. He brings with him a wealth of experience, having also served as the batting coach for the Indian national team and head coach for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Under Bangar’s leadership, RCB reached the playoffs in two of his three seasons at the helm. His vast knowledge of the game and experience working with talented players will be invaluable for the Punjab Kings as they strive for success in IPL 2024.

It is noteworthy that the franchise released key players like Shah Rukh Khan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Mohit Rathee ahead of the auction. This indicates their intent to revamp their squad and build a stronger team for the upcoming season.

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